Colecovision

The Colecovision is Coleco's third generation video game console, released in August 1982. It offered arcade-like graphics and controllers, and an initial catalog of 12 titles, with 10 more promised titles on the way. All told, approximately 170 titles were released on plug-in cartridges during its lifetime. The controller was a flat joystick, two side buttons, and a number-pad, which allowed you to put inserts for customized buttons. The majority of titles in its catalog were conversions from coin-operated arcade games. The ColecoVision introduced two new concepts to the home videogame industry - the ability to expand the hardware system, and the ability to play other video game system games.

Technical specifications

• CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 3.58MHz
• Video processor: Texas Instruments TMS9928A
• 256x192 resolution
• 32 sprites
• 16 colors
• Sound: Texas Instruments SN76489A
• 3 tone generators
• 1 noise generator
• VRAM: 16KB
• RAM: 1KB
• Storage: Cartridge: 8/16/24/32KB

Similarities to Other Platforms

The Colecovision contains the same CPU and graphics chip as the MSX1 and Sega SG-1000/SC-3000. It also shares a sound chip with the Sega machines, making them identical in hardware capabilities. The MSX contains a different sound chip that is very similar in capabilities, the General Instruments AY-3-8910. For this reason it proved very easy to port games between the three systems.

Related Topics:
MSX - Sega SG-1000 - SC-3000 - General Instruments AY-3-8910

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